“Defiant Archives: Trans Histories of Existence, Resistance, and Brilliance” exhibit shares a collection of archival and personal items with a focus on the history of transgender activism in Philadelphia, curated and collected by local trans community members. Visitors will be able to watch a collection of oral history videos shared by the Trans Oral History Project, as well as the short documentary video “Transpass” about the work of Riders Against Gender Exclusion, a local activist group who won the fight to end SEPTA’s use of gendered stickers in 2013. The exhibit also invites participation, as visitors are welcomed to share their own histories on a timeline stretching from 1965 to 2015.
The Defiant Archives exhibit responds to a missing piece in the Reminder 2015 celebration. Before, during, and after the Annual Reminder Day protests (1965-69) demanded gender conformity from participants, transgender and gender nonconforming activists have mobilized for sexual and gender self-determination, social transformation, and collective liberation.
The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of Charlene Arcila-Ecks.
An opening event on July 24th featured performances by Icon Ebony Fierce and legendary drag performer Les Harrison.
The full exhibit runs from July 24-September 20, and is accessible during the Center’s open hours:
MON – FRI 11am – 10pm
SAT – SUN 12pm – 5pm
PRESS:
G Philly: William Way Community Center Opening Trans Philadelphia Exhibit.
PGN: Acts of Defiance: Trans history on display in new exhibit.
Newsworks: In celebrating Philly LGBT history, the ‘T’ is silent — and that’s not all.
EZRA BERKLEY NEPON 